National Standards and Guides to Best Practice

The National Standards and Guides to Best Practice available on this page have been developed by the Institute of Medical Illustrators in consultation with specialist advisors. If necessary, adaptations may be made to take into account your local conditions.

Unauthorised copying, distribution or commercial exploitation is prohibited and will constitute an infringement of copyright. Reproduction permission granted for personal and educational use, and for the development of medical illustration departmental guidance, subject to acknowledgement of the source material. If you make use of any part of these documents, then you must acknowledge the source material.

We welcome your comments or suggestions for improvements to these guidelines. If you have any suggestions for existing guidelines, or wish to be involved in a working group for any new guidelines, please contact the National Guideline Coordinator. You can also read the Submission Guidance for more information.

Please note that the guidelines are currently under review and will be updated as soon as each review is complete.

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Bereavement Photography (April 2018)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Breast Photography Guidelines (January 2012)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Chaperone Guidelines (December 2019)

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Cleft Lip and Palate (September 2018)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Clinical Photography Studio, Design and Planning (March 2018)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Confidentiality and Consent (May 2020)

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Cultural Diversity Guidelines (November 2020)

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Dental Photography (March 2022)

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Dermoscopy (June 2022 DRAFT)

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Ethical Use of Social Media (September 2024)

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Hair Loss Photography (March 2024)

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Major Incident Planning and Preparedness (September 2024)

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Mobile Phone and Mobile Apps for Clinical Photography (October 2019)

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Mole Monitoring (June 2018)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Ophthalmic Imaging - an introduction (February 2024)

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Ophthalmic Imaging: Retinal Photography and OCT (August 2025)

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Paediatric Photography (June 2010)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Photography of Non-accidental Injuries (July 2023)

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Rhinoplasty Photography (March 2019)

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Scoliosis (November 2005)

*This guideline is due to be updated. The information contained may be out of date.

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Surgical Photography and the Operating Theatre (April 2019)

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Teledermatology - setting up a service (March 2024)

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Working with Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) Patients (July 2024)

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Wound Management (January 2025)

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